Wax-thread sewing-machine.



T. H. SEELY.

WAX THREAD SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. ISIS Patented May 6, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

T. H. SEELY.

WAX THREAD SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1915.

L32,598 Patented May 6, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2 I I I I I 1 1 l I I T. H. SEE'LY.

WAX THREAD SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23, I915.

Patented May I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3. W

LSQQEQE THOMAS H. SEELY, or BOSTON, MassAoHUs To UNITED SHOE MACHINERY coaroa IPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY IVIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TION, OF PATEBSON, NEW JERSEY, A. 00%

VET-THREAD SEWING-MACE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS H. SEELY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dorchester, Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wax-Thread Sewing-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains, to make and use.

the same.

This invention relates towax thread sewing machines and more particularly to inclosing casings or hoods for such machines.

In the operation of wax thread sewing machines the thread should be kept warm until it reaches the work so that the wax which is applied to the thread may be in proper condition when the thread is incorporated in the stitches to form a satisfactory tight seam. In sewing machines of this class the chilling of the needle thread on its way to the work causes frequent. breakage of the thread and this results in an unnecessary loss of time taken to thread up the machine and in a considerable waste of thread. It is, therefore, essential to the successful operation of such machines that the machine be kept hot, particularly the parts thereof engaged by and adjacent to the waxed thread as it passes to the sewing point. It has, heretofore, been a difficult matter to keep the parts of the machine sutficiently heated to prevent the chilling of the thread under all the conditions occurring in a factory where the machine is operated. In cold weather the temperature in a factory often falls to a relatively low point and the heated parts then lose heat rapidly by conduction and radiation and in summer, when the windows of the factory are open, drafts of air, striking the machine, reduce the temperature of the heated parts and also chill the wax on the thread before it reaches the work.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide wax thread sewing machines with an inclosing casing which will keep the heat of the machine confined to the machine in an effective manner so as to enable the parts along the path of the waxed thread to be easily kept hot and will protect the thread and the heated parts from drafts Specification of Letters Patent.

lPatcmltedll May (5, 1919).

/ Application filed February 28,1915. Serial Ito. 9,977.

of air but which is so constructed that access may readily be had to the parts of the machlne covered by the casing.

A great deal of trouble is caused in shoe factories by unauthorized persons tampering with the machines, particularly when the machines are idle. The operating parts of the machine are often detached and carried away by such persons and the parts taken from the machines are frequently of considerable value in the total.

Another object of the invention is to produce an inclosing casing for wax thread sewing machines arranged to cover the greater part of the operating mechanisms of the machine and comprising one or more movable sections which may be locked in closed position so as to prevent the parts of said mechanlsms from being tampered with or removed from the machine.

With the above and other objects in view, the features of the invention consist of certain novel and improved constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the advantages of which will be obvious to one skilled in the art.

' The features of the invention will be readily understood from an inspection of the accompanying drawings illustrating a machine embodying the invention in its preferred form and the following detailed description of the same.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view in side elevation partly in section of a wax thread chain-stitch sewing machine for sewing inseams of boots and shoes, with an inclosing casing applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the inclosing casing for the machine. Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of the inclosing casing. Fig. 4 is a detail plan view illustrating one of the sections of the casing. Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating, particularly, the locking mechanism for locking the movable sections of the casing in closed positions taken from the outside of the casing and Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 taken from within the casing.

The invention as illustrated in the drawings is applied to a Wax thread chain-stitch sewing machine for sewing welts and uppers to the insoles of welted shoes, the parts of which have substantially the same construction, arrangement and mode of operation as the corresponding parts of the mamanner in which these parts are operated to form the chain-stitch seam and to handle the welt need not be described in this application. The thread, after it leaves the wax receptacle, where the melted wax is applied thereto, extends about a suitable tension wheel and then passes toward the front of the machine through an inclosing tube 18. After emerging from the forward end of the tube the thread passes over a fixed thread truck 20, then downwardly about the thread truck 22 of the auxiliary take-up, from the auxiliary take-up upwardly over the thread truck 24 of the main take-up and from the main take-up through the eye of the looper 6 to the work.

The machine illustrated is heated by means of a series of heating devices constructed for the use of steam as a heating medium and adapted to receive a supply of steam from any suitable source. -In the construction shown the supply steam is brought to the machine by means of an inlet pipe 26 connected with a steam chamber'28 formed in a suitable portion of the frame of the machine by a union 30 tapped into said chamber. The heat transmitted from the steam chamber 28 serves, particularly, to maintain the parts of the machine engaged by and adjacent to the thread after it leaves the forward end of the thread tube 18 in a heated condition so as to keep the thread warm intermediate this tube and the work. The steam passes from the steam chamber 28 through an outlet pipe section 32 connected at its forward end with the steam chamber by a union 34. The pipe sec tion 32 extends rearwardly and then downwardly and is connected at its rear end by a union 36 with a pipe section 38 extending rearwardly along side the thread tube 18. The heat transmitted by the pipe section 38 heats up the thread tube and the thread is thus kept warm while passing through the tube. The pipe section 38 is connected at its rear end by a union 40 with a steam chamber in the tension bracket.

The inclosing casing for the machine, as illustrated in the drawings, is constructed to cover the upper and forward portions of the head of the machine and comprises a fixed top section 42 arranged to support all the other sections of the casing, two front sections 44 and 46 covering substantially the whole front of the machine, but leaving an opening at the sewing point for the presentation of the shoe to the machine, and a section arranged to close this opening. The fixed top section 42 is shaped to cover the various cams on the main shaft 50 of the machine and the mechanism associated therewith. This section is provided with lateral projections 52 and 54 at its ends, having bosses which rest upon suitable parts of the frame, and is secured to the machine by means of bolts 60 and 62 passing respectively through the projections 52 and 54 and threaded into the frame. In order to locate the section 42 in the proper position and to assist in sup porting the same, an adjustable abutment screw 64 is threaded into a laterally extending lug 66 formed on the section 42 in front of the projection 54 and engages a portion of the frame of the machine at its lower end. A three point support is thus provided for the section 42 and this section may be located properly on themachine by a suitable adjustment of the abutment screw 64. A felt wiper'68 is secured to the rear margin of the section 4122026 the casing and engages the cams on the cam shaft 50 to keep the same free from dust.

The sections 44 and 46of the casing are mounted upon the fixed section 42 and are shaped to extend forwardly and downwardly therefrom to cover substantially the whole front of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These sections are cut away respectively at 70 and 72.to form a suitable opening at the sewing point so that the shoe can be presented to the machine and manipulated properly as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe. To enable the operator to obtain access to the parts of themachine covered by the two front sections of the casing to oil the same, to thread up the machine or for any other purpose, these sections are mounted on the fixed section 42 to swing outwardly on substantially vertical axes from closed positions, as shown in the drawing, to expose the parts of the machine covered by these sections. In the illustrated construction the section 42 of the casing is formed with a forwardly extending projection 74 arranged to be received between spaced bearing lugs 76 and 78, formed on the section 44 and the section 44 is pivoted to the fixed section 42 by means of a substantially vertical pivot pin 80 secured by a set screw 82 in a suitable bore in the. projection 74, the upper end of this pin passing through an opening in the lug 7 6 and the lower end of the same being seated in a stepped bearing or socket in the lug 78. The section 42 of the casing is formed at the opposite side of the machine with a forwardly extending projection 84 arranged to engage between spaced bearing lugs 86 and 88 formed on the section 46 of the casing, and this'section is pivoted to the fixed section 42 by means of a substantially vertical pivot pin 90 fixed by a set screw 92 in a bore in the projection 84 and engaging at its respective ends in an opening in the lug 86 and in a socket in the lug 88. This manner of mounting the sections '44 and 46 of the casing enables these sections to be swung outwardly or in opposite directions in a substantially horizontal plane from closed' positions to expose the whole front of the machine. The sections 44 and-.46 are preferably so constructed that when they are closed their upper rear edges fit closely to the forward edge 94 of the section 42 and that they fit closely together at their adjoining edges where they meet along the line 96.

- The inclosing casing above described covtions of the casing, so that drafts of air are prevented from striking the thread and chilling the Wax. The interior of the easing is preferably lined with a material such as asbestos, which is a relatively poor conductor of heat; The inclosing casing not only prevents the free escape of the heated air from about the heated parts, but also greatly reduces the heat ordinarily lost by radiation.

When the machine is in operation oil is thrown from the rapidly moving parts and the front sections of the casin prevent this oil from striking the work or eing projected into the operatives face or eyes. To prevent the oil which is thrown onto the inner surfaces of the two front sections of. the casing from dripping down on the shoe while it is being sewn, the section 44 of the casing is provided with an oil channel 98 formed by a rib 100 extending from the front to the rear of the section and inclined downwardly, and the section 46 is provided with an oil channel 102 formed by a similarly arranged rib 104. The oil thrown from the moving parts of the machine onto the inner surfaces of the sections 44 and 46 is caught in these oil channels and is drained off at the rear ends of the channels.

The hinged sections 44 and 46 of the casing are held in closed osition by means of a hooked latch 106 see Figs. 5 and 6) mounted within the said section 44 on the inner end of a pin 108 extending through a bearing in the section 44, the latch being arranged to hook over the pin 110 fixed in the section 46. The latch is normally held in a substantially horizontal position against a stop pm 112 by a spring 114 coiled about the pm 108 and havlng one end engaging behind said pin, the other end of the spring extending across the upper edge of the 70 the latch is actuated by the spring 114 to 76 cause it to hook over the pin. A milled knob 120 is fixed to the end of the pin 108 outside the section 44 by which the pin may be turned to lift the latch.

- To prevent unauthorized persons from 60 tampering with the machine or removing the parts thereof covered by the casing, a

lock is provided to secure the sections 44 and 46 in closed positions. formed by cuttlng away the sections 44 and 85 The opening 46 at 70 and 72, where the shoe is presented to the machine, leaves a large number of parts exposed and to inclose these parts, when the machine is idle, a removable section is provided for the casing which may be lnserted inposition to close this 0 enmg and locked in position by 'the loc ing of the sections 44 and 46.

In the construction illustrated a lock 122 of the drawer lock type is mounted on the interior of the section 44 of the casing, the section having a suitable opening through which the barrel 124 of the lock projects. The latch 106 is formed with a flat end face indicated at 126 located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof and the lock 122 is mounted on the section 44 in a position such that the bolt 128 of the look, when advanced, engages the end face 126 of the latch and prevents the disengagement of the latch from the pin 110. -When the bolt of the lock is retracted the latch 106 is free to be lifted to permit the sections 44 and 46 of the casing to be swung to open positions.

The removable section of the casing indicated at 130 and shown in detail in Fig. 4, has substantially the same contour as the opening formed by the cutting away of the sections 44 and 46 at 70 and 7 2 so that when located in position to close this opening, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it is adapted to fit closely to the marginal portions of these sections adjacent the openlng. The removable section 130 is so constructed that its margin overlaps slightly the inwardly extending margins of the sections 44 and 46, as shown particularly in Fig. 3, and in order to enable the removable section to be held in position by the sections 44 and 46, the removable section is formed with marginal projections or lugs 132 and 134 to engage within the inwardly projecting margin of the section 44 and with a marginal lug 136 to engage within the inwardly projecting 136 and 3, and the sections 44 and 46 are closed and locked in closed positions, the removable section is securely held from dlsplacement by the sections 44 and 46. When the machine is to be used, the sections 44 and 46 are unlocked and opened to allow the marginal lugs on the section 130 to be dlsengaged from within the margins of the sections 44 and 46 so that the section 130 may be removed from the machine. Before the machine is started the sections 44 and 46 are again closed and are held in closed pos 1- tions by the latch 106 while the machine is operating.

The inclosing casing described has the further important advantage that it covers substantially all the moving parts at) the front of the machine, cutting off those parts from the'operatives vision. The result is that the machine may be run without the usual tiresome effect on the eyes of the operative caused by the constant vision of the rapidly moving elements.

The casing also prevents the accumulatlon of dust on the machine and serves as a protection for the machine.

Having explained the nature and object of the invention and having specifically described a machine embodying the same in its preferred form, what is claimed is:

1. An inseam shoe sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved hook needle, work positioning devices, machine heating devices, and an inclosing casing for the head of the machine comprising a fixed section extending over the top of the machine and two hollow front sections fitted to the top section at their upper edges and extending over and forming a chamber inclosing substantially the whole front of the machine from the top section down to the sewing point, and having a relatively small opening at the sewing point through'which the stitch forming devices and work positioning devices project downwardly, and means for movably supporting the two front sections to enable these sections to be opened to expose the parts of the machine covered thereby.

2. An inseam shoe sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved hook needle, work positioning devices, machine heating devices, and an inclosing casing for the head of the machine comprising a fixed section extending over the top of the machine and two hollow front sections fitted to the top section at their upper edges and extending from the top section over and forming a chamber inclosing substantially the whole front of the machine from the top section down to the sewing point, and having a relatively small opening at the sewing point through which the stitch forming and work positioning devices project downwardly and means for supporting the front sections to swing in opposite directions in a substantially .horizontal plane from closed to open positions to expose the parts of the machine covered by the same. 1

3. An inseam shoe sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved hook needle, work positioning devices, machine heating devices, and an inclosing casing extending over the top of the machine and comprising one or more hollow sections forming a chamber inclosing substantially the whole front of the machine from the top of the machine down to the sewing point, and having a relatively small aperture at the sewing point opening downwardly from the interior of the casing through which the stitch forming and .work positioning devices project, and means for movablysupporting the front sections to enable the same to be opened to expose the parts of the machine covered thereby.

4. An inseam shoe sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved hook needle, work positioning devices, machine heating devices, a series of thread guiding devices arranged to conduct the thread in a path above the sewing point leading to the needle, and an inclosing casing for the machine comprislng one or more movable hollow sections arranged to inclose the top and front portions of the machine above the sewing point, and having a relatively small aperture at the sewing point opening downwardly from the interior of the casing through which the stitch forming and Work positioning devices project.

5. A wax. thread sewing machine, having in combination, stitch forming devices, machine heating devices and an inclosing casing for the machine arranged to cover the top of the machine and substantially the whole front of the machine down to the sewing point, having a relatively small opening at the sewing point through which the stitch forming devices project and comprising a series of sections, and adjustable means to locate the casin as a whole in proper position on the mac ine.

6. A wax thread sewing machine, having in combination, stitch forming devices, machine heating devices and an inclosing casing for the machine comprising one or more movable sections arranged to cover substantially the whole front of the machine but to leave an opening for the insertion of the work in the machine, a movable section for closing said opening, and means for locking the sections in closed positions.

7. A wax thread sewing machine, having of the work to the machine,

rename in combination, stitch forming devices, ma- 'chine heating devices and an inclo'sing casfor closing said opening, and means for locking said section in closed position.

8. A wax thread sewing machine, having in combination, stitch forming devices,,machine heating devices, an inclosing casing for the machine comprising two movable complemental sections arranged to cover substantially the whole front ofthe machine but to leave an opening for the presentation means for supporting said sections to swing upon substantially parallel axes in opposite directions from closed positions, a movable section for closing said opening, and means for locking said sections in closed positions.

9. A wax thread sewing machine having, in combination, stitch forming devices, machine heating devices, and an inclosing casing for the machine having an opening at the sewing point for the presentation of the work to the stitch forming devices and provided with an oil channel extendin along the inner face of the wall of the casing adjacent to and above the opening to catch the oil thrown upon the interior surface of the casing and. direct the same away from the work.

10. An inseam shoe sewing machine having, in combination, stitch forming devices, machine heating devices, and an inclosing casing for the machine arranged to inclose the top and front portions of the machine above the sewing point, and having a; relatively small aperture atthe sewing point opening downwardly from the interior of the casing through which the stitch forming and work positioning devices project, said casing having one or more oil channels exmovable section machine and two front ,tially the whole front of tending about the interior thereof adjacent to and above the aperture to catch the oil thrown upon the interior surface of the casing and direct the same away from the shoe.

11. A wax thread sewin machine, having, in combination, stitch org devices, machine heating devices and an inclosing casing for the head of the machine comprising a fixed section extending over the top of the machine, and two front sections adjoining the topsection and extending over substantially the whole front of the machine from the ing point and having a relatively small opening at the sewing point through which the stitch forming devices project, means for movahly supporting the two front sections to enable these sections to be opened to expose the parts of the machine covered thereby, and means for locking the .two front sections'in closed positions.

12. A wax thread sewin machine, having,- in combination, stitch forming devices, machine heating devices, an inclosing casing for the head of the machine comprising over the to of the sections a joining the top section and extending over suhstanthe machine from the top section down to the sewing point and having a relatively small opening at the sewing point through which the stitch form ing devices project, means for supportlng the front sections to swing in opposite dia fixed section extending motions in a substantially horizontal plane from closed to open positions to expose the parts of the machine covered by thesame,

and means for locking the two front sections in closed positio V 1 'THOMAS H. SEELY;

' Witnesses:

Cmsrnn 3E. ltoenns Leona M. Goonnmen.

top section down to the sewift 

